Analyzing quality culture in higher education: a screening framework applied to university practices

Quality culture has become a central concern in higher education as institutions move beyond compliance-oriented quality assurance toward more holistic approaches. However, the concept often remains abstract, with limited methods to evaluate how it is integrated into university practices. This study addresses this gap by designing and applying a screening framework that operationalizes quality culture into five evaluative aspects: Cultural Components, Structural Elements, Binding Factors, Continuous Improvement, and Stakeholder Participation. Using qualitative content analysis of institutional presentations from fourteen European universities, the framework was applied to analyze how these aspects are reflected in practice. The results indicate strong alignment in Structural Elements and Continuous Improvement, while Cultural Components and Stakeholder Participation appear less consistently integrated. Binding Factors, including leadership, communication, and trust, are generally acknowledged but tend to be operationalized implicitly. These findings suggest the framework's applicability across diverse institutional contexts and highlight its potential to support institutional self-evaluation, guide targeted quality enhancement, and inform future research on quality culture.